Connecting outboard gear via pre inserts???

blasted_beats · 6th October 2008

Hey Guys and Gals,

I've got what feels like a very simple question, but for the life of me i cant seem to find an answer..

Can anyone explain how to connect lets say an 1176 to the insert of a pre in a ISA 828?

I feel like im missing something in the equation here as my brain can only seem to comprehend an in/out signal path. with only the balanced input jack, how do you feed the compressor? and further more how is its reaction and ultimately its affect on the signal making its way back to the output of the pre?

Ive gone from pre to compressor through the in/outs and this works fine, but i would like to make use of the inserts if they offer further functionality to my purchase overall.

thanks so much for the help.

psycho_monkey · 6th October 2008

From reading the FAQs on the focusrite page, the "inserts" on the 828 are slightly different to the inserts on a console.

On the 828, they're designed so you can insert a compressor before the AD converter. So you patch preamp out - compressor to ADC in (via a D-sub it looks like), then go digital into your recorder. The insert switches just break the internal connection between preamp and converter, and means the converter receives the external signal from the D-Sub on the back. Presumably, the analogue outputs are active at all times.

If you don't have the ADC board fitted, you don't have an insert point. Feeding back into the ADC in D-Sub goes nowhere.

Does that make things a bit clearer?

blasted_beats · 7th October 2008

crystal clear!

thanks so much. i feel like a huge weight has been lifted on the gear front. i knew there had to be a "return" situation of some kind.

i dont have the a/d card for the unit as i opted for the aurora route instead, so effectively the inserts are useless, but now i know, and knowing is half the battle..

GI JOE!!!!

oh i kid.

thanks again man.

6th October 2008	#1
blasted_beats Gear interested Joined: Sep 2008 Location: St. Pete, FL Posts: 9 Thread Starter	Connecting outboard gear via pre inserts??? Hey Guys and Gals, I've got what feels like a very simple question, but for the life of me i cant seem to find an answer.. Can anyone explain how to connect lets say an 1176 to the insert of a pre in a ISA 828? I feel like im missing something in the equation here as my brain can only seem to comprehend an in/out signal path. with only the balanced input jack, how do you feed the compressor? and further more how is its reaction and ultimately its affect on the signal making its way back to the output of the pre? Ive gone from pre to compressor through the in/outs and this works fine, but i would like to make use of the inserts if they offer further functionality to my purchase overall. thanks so much for the help. __________________ "And then there came an understanding so large, it left no room for sanity." -Alan Moore

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6th October 2008	#2
psycho_monkey Gear Guru Joined: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 14,294	From reading the FAQs on the focusrite page, the "inserts" on the 828 are slightly different to the inserts on a console. On the 828, they're designed so you can insert a compressor before the AD converter. So you patch preamp out - compressor to ADC in (via a D-sub it looks like), then go digital into your recorder. The insert switches just break the internal connection between preamp and converter, and means the converter receives the external signal from the D-Sub on the back. Presumably, the analogue outputs are active at all times. If you don't have the ADC board fitted, you don't have an insert point. Feeding back into the ADC in D-Sub goes nowhere. Does that make things a bit clearer?

7th October 2008	#3
blasted_beats Gear interested Joined: Sep 2008 Location: St. Pete, FL Posts: 9 Thread Starter	crystal clear! thanks so much. i feel like a huge weight has been lifted on the gear front. i knew there had to be a "return" situation of some kind. i dont have the a/d card for the unit as i opted for the aurora route instead, so effectively the inserts are useless, but now i know, and knowing is half the battle.. GI JOE!!!! oh i kid. thanks again man.